Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to rise in this Honourable House today to
report that Carino Processing Limited, the primary seal processing facility
in our province, has made the first payment of approximately $1.1 million
toward the $2 million loan our government provided the sealing industry last
spring. The remaining amount owing is anticipated to be paid back in the
first quarter of the new year.

Mr. Speaker, this is great news and it is an indication that the sealing
industry continues to provide opportunity for harvesters and business owners
in this province. There were over 67,000 pelts purchased from harvesters
throughout the province this year, with a landed value of approximately $1.5
million. About 430 harvesters and 388 vessels were involved in the harvest,
representing an increase from the previous year.

Mr. Speaker, our government continues to support the sealing industry in
its innovative and creative efforts to identify new markets, and generate
new opportunities for seal products in the world markets.

We are pleased to see that the funding provided by our government last
year had such a positive impact. The success can be seen in the
participation of harvesters, to the success of stores like Always in Vogue,
Natural Boutique and the North Atlantic Fur Group, to increases in activity
at Carino, the Northeast Coast Sealers Co-op and Sea Water Products. I
recently attended a very encouraging meeting with industry stakeholders
where discussions focused on the future of the sealing industry and the
commitment to full utilization of these animals to maximize the economic
benefit to the province.

In addition, Mr. Speaker, we are seeing positive movement in relation to
the ongoing World Trade Organization challenge and the European Court of
Justice, which may once again provide access to world markets. Here at home,
we continue to work with our federal partners in finalizing access to
markets in China. I recently met with federal minister Gail Shea to discuss
these important issues and to reiterate our unwavering support in this
regard.

Mr. Speaker, the anti-sealing campaigns are filled with misinformation on
the harvest – a skewed perspective to say the least. The annual seal harvest
is highly regulated and environmentally sustainable. The harp seal
population has increased from approximately two million animals to nearly
eight million in just a few years. This is extraordinary and surely invites
the question of impact on the natural balance of the ocean’s ecosystem.

Activist groups truly display a lack of understanding about what is
responsible ecosystem management, the economic importance to people
dependant on this hunt, and the cultural realities in this province. We will
not be swayed by the propaganda of such campaigns or that of misinformed
followers and celebrities. Collectively, we must continue our resolve to
overcome the challenges of this industry to ensure a humane and sustainable
annual seal harvest.

Over the years, the sealing industry has contributed much to the
provincial economy. It has helped to define our culture and it has carved a
place in our storied history.

Mr. Speaker, we are proud to support the seal harvest – a part of our
heritage that has provided much benefit to the people of Newfoundland and
Labrador for centuries. We are confident it will continue to do so in the
years to come.